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Doris M. Carlson
Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory
Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | April 14, 2016
Doris M. Carlson, 84, of Pittsburgh, formerly of Greenock, died Wednesday, April 13, 2016. She was born August 28, 1931 in Harrisburg and was the daughter of Charles R. Moyer and Pearl Roos Moyer Pellechia. Doris graduated from John Harris High School and the Abington Memorial Hospital Dixon School of Nursing. Upon graduation, she found her way to Mckeesport, PA, where she met and eventually became the devoted and tolerant wife of Bill Carlson for 55 years until his passing August 25, 2012.
An only child, Doris was quickly absorbed into Bill’s family and became a sister to his sisters Catherine Carlson Bodo (Ernest), Margaret Carlson Johnson (Roland), and Ruth Carlson Schweitzer (Leo). She also loved and was loved by her father’s twin brother William (Uncle Bill) and her step-father Anthony Pellechia. Doris performed just about every nursing duty possible for over 30 years, beginning at the McKeesport Hospital and culminating her career with the Allegheny County Health Department, where she served others at hospitals, clinics, and homes throughout the greater Pittsburgh region. In the late 1950s, Doris and Bill moved to Greenock in Elizabeth Township, and by 1960, they had become parents of two red-haired children, Lauren Carlson Lawhead, and David Carlson. Doris is survived lovingly by them and their spouses Hank Lawhead and Bonnie Johnson Carlson; granddaughters Caroline Lawhead, Elizabeth Lawhead Maranowski (Matt), and Gillian Lawhead; step-granddaughter Cassie Johnson Fluck (Jay); and step-great-granddaughters Taylor and Sienna Fluck. Doris loved being GGMa! She is also lovingly survived by her “sisters” Cathryn Carlson Bodo and Margaret Carlson Johnson as well as nieces and nephews Bruce Bodo, Christine Johnson Buller (John), Amy Johnson Williams (Mike), Renee Johnson, Tim Johnson (Terri), and Kurt Schweitzer, their many children. Known among the Transit Heights neighborhood in Greenock and among her children’s friends as a surrogate mom to all, Doris was beloved by more than those related to her by blood and marriage. Doris was a faithful Christian who lived a life of generosity and good humor. In her adult life, she worshiped most often in the Lutheran Church, first at Tabor in Mckeesport, then at Peace, in Greenock, and later at Concordia and St. John’s, in Mckeesport. Most recently, she attended services at Memorial Park Presbyterian Church, in the North Hills. Doris had a beautiful alto voice and sang in various church choirs throughout her life as well as with the Mckeesport Choraliers. During her years at Tabor, she served as a cook and camp nurse during the summers at Camp Augustana in Laurel Hill State Park. She also volunteered as a Girl Scout leader in Greenock and, years later, prepared and delivered meals for the Sonshine soup kitchen at Concordia. Doris loved to travel and delighted in spending time and camping with Bill and their friends. She leaves the world a better place for having served it for the past 84 years and 7 months. There is no visitation. A memorial service will be held on Saturday April 16 at 10:00 am in the chapel of the Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 6028 Smithfield Street, Boston, Elizabeth Township. The Rev. David L. Weeks will officiate. Interment will follow at the Mount Vernon Cemetery, Elizabeth Township. The family requests memorial contributions to Peace Lutheran Church, 641 Zimmer Hill Drive, Greenock, PA 15047; St. John’s Lutheran Church, 329 Ninth Street, McKeesport, PA 15132; or Sonshine Community Ministries, 908 Evans Avenue., McKeesport, PA 15132. Condolences may be made at gilbertfuneralhomeandcrematory.com
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Originally published April 14, 2016.
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